Amy George Writes

      Here are my 10 hard-earned tips for WWOOFing in Italy. I was the guinea pig, so you don’t have to be (you’re welcome). Most of the advice outlined here is useful for all prospective travelers, but I especially wanted to cater to volunteers in Italy. 

1. Stays - Choose wisely

      Each of you will have different goals for your trip, but I recommend choosing a farm that accepts more than 1 WWOOFer at a time. Remember, there is strength in numbers! Being the only ‘outsider’ can put you in a vulnerable and/or awkward situation. No one else is around to share the potentially heavy workload or form an exit strategy.
      On a lighter note, being alone means fewer opportunities to make like-minded friends and spend your free time together. I’ve also noticed that hosts will put less effort into the cultural exchange aspect (i.e., fun activities) with only you to impress.

      If you want to be truly immersed, live with an Italian. Someone with a rock-solid grasp of the language and genuine respect for their country/neighborhood is the ideal. This is my opinion, but I’m nosey and value secrets only the locals can tell.

      Side note: growing and harvest seasons may differ (i.e., North vs South). Explicitly state your intentions to hosts and lock down the correct dates if you don’t want to miss a particular crop/specialty. For me, everything slowed down substantially in mid-late October. My last 3 weeks were filled with busywork and tedious tasks to prep for winter.

2. Learn Some Italian (duh)

      Self-explanatory. Everyone I met was way too kind and encouraging towards my pathetic attempts to converse. So, try even if you sound like a fool, because your audience is incredibly forgiving. 

3. Functional Packing Over Fashion

      Keep it light, your back will thank you. 
(In-depth packing article coming soon)

4. Don’t Forget Your ‘Rainy Day Fund’

      First of all, have emergency money for alternate accommodations. Hit an ATM right after you land, because they can be surprisingly hard to find when you need one. In general, cash is essential; there are so many times I would have been SOL without it. Some remote buses need exact change. Plus, laundry machines and marketplaces that are strictly no card. 

5. Laundry Machines = Luxury

      While we’re on the topic of washing clothes. Be prepared to smell sometimes. All of my hosts had laundry facilities, but you may not be so lucky. Backpacking is a different beast entirely. Don’t be like me with soggy clothes, no dryer, 72 hours of rain, and a lackluster hotel towel warmer. Accept your fate and stink, because desperately shaking a dry bag full of water, Dr. Bronner’s, and underwear is never worth it.

6. Download Enough Distractions

      Going completely screen-free is a noble goal, but difficult in practice. Don’t underestimate boredom when you’re stuck with no Wi-Fi. There will be moments when you are left to your own devices. After 6-8 hours of manual labor, the thought of doing yoga, hiking, or moving your limbs at all will no longer sound appealing. Reading is an obvious choice, and digital was the only way to go for me. My backpack could not support a single novel, let alone multiple. 
      Download more offline resources and audiobooks than you think you’ll need. I was devastated when my Spotify premium hours ran out with only 10 pages of a story left. The remaining 2+ weeks of the month were deafeningly quiet. When I finally arrived somewhere with internet, I was introduced to the joys of Italian Audible (unlimited access to the full library) that we are deprived of in the USA. 
      Besides books and journals, I neglected other artistic pursuits while packing. Without craft supplies, I was left to stare wistfully at my fellow WWOOFer’s compact watercolor set. 

7. Develop A Sense Of Direction

      I was born without a sense of direction, so naturally, I decided to travel around a country where the unpredictability of its railway system is part of the charm. I say this with love, of course. Stay on your toes at the train stations because the ticket apps are brutal and won’t update times or platforms accurately (looking at you, Trenitalia). Wear running shoes, watch the signs, and listen closely to announcements. If for some reason, you’re traveling by bus, godspeed. 
      If you're planning successive stays as I did, it’s better to lock in on a general region, so getting from place to place isn't a total nightmare. Map it out ahead of time and research transportation prices/routes. Strikes are common. Stay informed about scheduled ones, but usually, you are at the mercy of the universe. 

8. Know How To Ride A Bike

      Listen, I know how to ride a bike…probably. I learned as a child, but after a certain ordeal on a cycling tour of Inis Mór, there is lingering uncertainty. I can’t confidently say that the winding country roads in Piedmont wouldn’t have kicked my ass. Sooo practice, ok? It's an important skill, particularly while adventuring in Europe (I'm working on it, I swear).

9. Don’t Think About The Spiders

      Don’t think about them in your bed sheets, or hiding in your work boots, or crawling on the vegetables, or making nests in the crevices of grape bushels. La la la la la la la, I can’t hear you. 

10. Cuisine Is King In Italia

      A large portion of WWOOF hosts will expect you to cook a meal for them. The intention is to share a specialty dish from your nation. As an American, I already knew I was at a major disadvantage when it came to taste. Cheddar cheese is an urban legend in Italian grocery stores, and maybe that’s for the best. Hopefully, you have an impressive family recipe or are good at improvisation. Think it through and write down detailed instructions before your departure.

      Now, here is my crude guide to Italian dining. Heed some warnings. After you have thoroughly enjoyed aperitivo, get serious. Under no circumstances should you put multiple dinner courses on one plate. Leave ‘girl dinners’ behind at customs. Although there are exceptions to the rule (i.e., Ragu), I would steer clear of mixing protein and pasta. I can’t believe I have to say this, but chicken alfredo and spaghetti with meatballs are NOT authentic. Pasta is not a side dish; it is the main event. It deserves your full attention before secondo. 
      I don’t like to perpetuate stereotypes, but your Italian hosts will murder you for an uncleaned plate, especially mom-types and those who take extra pride in their homegrown produce. It’s better to be full on the verge of exploding than to disappoint them (yes, this includes beverages). I’ve suffered countless sleepless nights for not daring to refuse an espresso after dessert, and you can too! However, I will continue to drink cappuccinos after 11 a.m. because I wholeheartedly disagree with this sentiment and am not a morning person.  
      Finally, if you only retain one thing from this lecture, let it be this: “Fare la scarpetta.” Bread is a sponge, so use it. Not a single drop of sauce should be wasted.

      I hope this semi-educational list was helpful, or at least made you laugh at my expense. The real advice is this: take it all in stride; mistakes are part of the process. At least now you can make your own, instead of mine. Ciao!